One of the city’s most beloved charity shops is facing closure – Claire Rees spent a morning there to find out about the wonderful work being done at this gem of a store

IT’S a shop loved by fashionistas, OAPs, mums, dads, and locals just dropping in to say hello. Save the Children on Albany Road, Roath, was the first of its kind when it opened in the heart of Cardiff, selling vintage clothing, retro denim and classic vinyl to name just a little of what you’ll find inside.

That was five years ago, and regular customer Danielle Supsford, 31, has been coming in ever since.

And she’s managed to clothe both nine-month-old Lilian and four-year-old Oliver completely in Save the Children stock.

“It’s such great quality and I pop in here a few times a week to shop and for a chat,” she said.

“Most of my own clothes come from here as well too. I also buy a lot of presents here, I got my son’s tennis racket, and I’m still wearing the winter coat I bought last year.

“What I buy here is much nicer than some high street shops and much cheaper.”

The shopping experience draws them in too, so with crystal-effect lighting, colour coded rails and flowers in the window, it’s a pleasure to visit.

And everyone working there, whether staff or volunteer, clearly loves the place.

Like 60-year-old Barbara Thomas, who puts her heart and soul into being a volunteer here.

The former teacher at Barry Boys’ Comprehensive School, who lives in Roath, gives up 20 hours a week of her time

“We have several people who come in every day for a chat,” she said, as we label up the £1 rail.

“There’s good banter, they know that if they come in, there are people here who will talk to them. You’d never catch us reading a book behind the counter.”

Barbara, who describes herself as a socialist with a passion for charity, has a sister who volunteers in Tanzania, just one of the areas where Save the Children carries out vital humanitarian work.

Earlier this month, they reported more than 400,000 children and adults had died in just four weeks following floods in Pakistan, where the charity has been working for the past 30 years.

The shop guarantees every penny of donations to emergency appeals go direct to relief.

“I really believe in the cause,” said Barbara.

“I really believe in what this shop and this charity stands for.

“It’s such an important thing that shops like this stay open.”

And customers come in their droves.

The biggest seller, they say, is womenswear, but there are rails of children’s clothing in immaculate condition, many of it unworn and selling for no more than £2 as shop policy.

“We know how a lot of parents rely on being able to come here and buy children’s outfits for a really low price,” said Barbara.

Anything which doesn’t meet the standard is given to the rag man, who’ll give them 50p a bag.

But it’s not just parents and the elderly looking for a bargain, the shop houses a large men’s section and is a hotspot for the vintage and the quirky, thanks to the desirable location.

The student population hand in bags from their trendy wardrobes when they finish every term, along with the area’s most well-heeled residents.

“We get a lot of very fashionable people coming in here and they bring in fabulous donations,” said Barbara.

“A lady bought in a black bag full of designer clothes. There were shoes from Vivienne Westwood and that day we took more than £400.”

There are 10 charity shops on Albany Road and adjoining Wellfield Road including Save the Children and while the others are having refits, staff here have been told to increase their targets to cope with the tough financial times.

It costs £45,000 a year to run the shop – the team have already turned off their fridge to cut costs and Barbara takes leftover stock to markets in a bid to increase sales.

They’ve also introduced the pound rail and they recently offered a 50% discount for anyone bringing in good quality donations.

Denise Williams, 40, from Adamsdown, works here as a paid manager four days a week after starting as a volunteer four years ago.

“The credit crunch has had an impact, people are selling things on eBay rather than dropping them in,” she said, adding she loves it there so much it never feels like going to work.

“We offer great quality and a real variety of stock, the window display changes once or twice a week so we’re always keeping it fresh.

“It’s all about being as eye-catching as possible because there’s so much competition.”

Reading through the comment book by the till, it’s obvious customers share Barbara and Denise’s fondness for the shop.

From people writing they’ve furnished their home and garden and filled their wardrobe several times, to others complimenting the lovely staff, and a shop that “smells so fresh” and has a “unique look and feel”.

Later, I help Barbara sort through donations at the back of the shop, which looks like a factory, filled to the brim with black bags and see-through plastic boxes.

“I’m so passionate about this shop and I desperately want it to stay open,” she said.

“It’s vital for some people. Not everyone is online, like the elderly, so we’re crucial for when people need to donate for emergency appeals.

“It’s a lot of work,” she adds.

“You will never get bored.

“You may feel a range of emotions working here, but boredom won’t be one of them.”

Save the Children is on 42 Albany Road, Cardiff CF24 3RR. Telephone 029 2046 2282 for more information.

What I found...

IT would have been rude not to have tried on some of the fabulous stock on sale while I was there.

I found ...

A scarlet red ’80s-style dress that appeared to be handmade, £6, pictured right